Syrian Cities Hit by Israeli Warplane Attacks – Report
- Recent Israeli military actions within Syria, including drone strikes and ground incursions, have drawn condemnation from Damascus and raised concerns about escalating regional tensions.
- On August 29, 2024, six Syrian soldiers were killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting locations near Damascus according to the Syrian army.
- The strikes reportedly targeted sites in and around Homs city and the coastal city of Latakia. While Israel rarely confirms specific operations, it has consistently maintained its right...
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Israeli Strikes on Syria Intensify Amidst “Greater israel” Rhetoric
Table of Contents
Recent Israeli military actions within Syria, including drone strikes and ground incursions, have drawn condemnation from Damascus and raised concerns about escalating regional tensions. These actions occur against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding a “Greater Israel” vision.
Recent Israeli Military Activity in Syria
On August 29, 2024, six Syrian soldiers were killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting locations near Damascus according to the Syrian army. This followed a ground incursion by Israeli troops into Syrian territory on august 28, 2024. Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has “strongly condemned” these attacks, labeling them a “blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic” and a “direct threat” to Syrian security and regional stability as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
The strikes reportedly targeted sites in and around Homs city and the coastal city of Latakia. While Israel rarely confirms specific operations, it has consistently maintained its right to act against what it perceives as threats emanating from Syrian territory, notably those linked to Iran and Hezbollah as detailed by Al Jazeera.
The “Greater Israel” Vision and Regional Implications
The increased military activity coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promotion of a vision for a “Greater Israel.” This concept, supported by ultranationalist factions within Israel, envisions expanding Israeli sovereignty beyond its current borders to encompass the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as portions of Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan according to Middle East Monitor.
The idea of a “Greater Israel” has past roots in Zionist ideology, but its current articulation under Netanyahu is seen by many as particularly provocative and destabilizing. Critics argue that this vision undermines the prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and exacerbates regional tensions. The potential for territorial expansion raises concerns about the displacement of Palestinian populations and the further erosion of Palestinian rights.
Historical Context: the War in Gaza and the Syrian Civil War
The current escalation occurs against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza and the protracted Syrian Civil War. The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has drawn in numerous regional and international actors, including Israel, Iran, Russia, and the United States. Israel has frequently intervened in Syria, primarily targeting Iranian-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters